Climate change - will the Paris summit see a meeting of minds on how to tackle global warming?

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last updated:
26/11/2015

Euronews

On the Network this week Chris Burns looks at the hopes for the Paris summit on climate change.

Experts are warning that unless there is joint commitment to reduce CO2 emissions we risk a displacement of people in the future that would dwarf the current refugee crisis in Europe.

What is the way forward for governments to avoid such a catastrophe?

On the network Chris Burns talks to Hans Bruyninckx, Director of the European Environment Agency, Martin Kaiser, Head of International Climate Politics at Greenpeace,and Alexandre Affre, Director of Industrial Affairs at Business Europe, which represents business federations in 34 countries.

Hans Bruyninckx, Director of the European Environment Agency:

“I’m actually quite hopeful that Paris will deliver a meaningful agreement and I think there are several important reasons. Firstly, it’s the first time that nearly all the countries on the planet will commit to climate policies, to mitigation and adaptation, and secondly there is this clear understanding that the two degree target is not just a target, it’s a real goal that needs to be achieved.”

Alexandre Affre, Director of Industrial Affairs at Business Europe:

“It’s positive to see big players like China and the US speeding up efforts to reduce emissions, now is it enough with the Paris agreement? Probably not; we have very little clarity on the nature of the agreement. Will it be binding? And also we have very very little information about how industries exposed to international competition will be asked to reduce emissions in other countries.”

Martin Kaiser, Head of International Climate Politics at Greenpeace:

“Industry addicted to coal, oil and gas, which is preventing the progress needed to limit global warming far below 2 degrees….it’s now time for the European businesses to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.”